Last week I had the pleasure of meeting many of you at our Annual Conference in beautiful Vancouver, where we welcomed STAN members from six different provinces including a healthy representation from British Columbia. For this Conference, we partnered with the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada to build bridges and foster new network connections. We enjoyed the unconference sessions with allowed for time devoted to deeper conversations. Additionally, members of both groups were able to network during the evening social event and the Bridge Day activities – appreciated by many STAN attendees.
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Keynote speaker David Barnum spoke of the
community as an nontraditional classroom, and we discussed collaboration and STE(A)M ecosystems. Additionally, we heard from Chad Leaman of the Neil Squire Society who shared insight on accessibility — something that also resonated with many of us who are keen to connect and engage with all Canadians as we foster a vibrant national science culture. It made me think of something Malala Yousfzai said, that we cannot all advance if some of us are left behind. While Malala may have been focused on gender inequities, this notion applies to all forms of accessibility, which resonates strongly with STAN’s revitalization over the last couple of years. STAN is experiencing membership growth and diversification, as STEM professionals recognize the value of our network and collaboration in building capacity, effectiveness, and reach for their work.
While not all of you were able to join us, we do hope to connect soon. Stay connected through STAN quarterly newsletters and social media. In the coming months we’re hoping to hold small regional STAN gatherings so you if you have an opportunity to invite STAN members from your area to connect, send us a note — we’d love to support you.
— Sandra Corbeil, STAN President
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NSERC Student Ambassadors
NSERC Student Ambassadors grants provide financial support for post-secondary students to share their science and engineering experiences with students from groups that are underrepresented in these fields, including girls, Indigenous youth, and students in rural or remote areas. These grants provide $1,000 to cover presentation materials, event logistics, travel, accommodation and meals.
This initiative is open to students 16 years of age and older who are enrolled in a Canadian university, polytechnic, college, or Cégep in the natural sciences and engineering. Outreach activities must take place within Canada, must promote science and engineering to youth in elementary school, high school, or the first year of college in Quebec, and must be organized independently by you (the use of resources or materials developed by other organizations is permitted).
There are no fixed deadlines for this initiative. Applications must be submitted two months before the start of the proposed outreach activity.
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Join STAN to receive quarterly emails.
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Remembering Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking was a global superstar when I met him at Perimeter Institute in 2010. Researchers in the building had known him much longer, as far back as to his time as an outstanding, but publicly unknown, cosmologist. But by the time he was visiting Waterloo, Ontario, Hawking’s star power was almost as bright as the celestial bodies he studied.
It was on his first visit to Perimeter, as a Distinguished Visiting Research Chair, that I was able to ask a question even Hawking couldn’t answer. We were touring an expansion at Perimeter which Hawking had agreed to lend his name to –the only time he ever did– and construction was under way.
Concrete and steel criss-crossed, forming the bones of what would become the Stephen Hawking Centre. It was, however a long, long way from looking like anything recognizable. After the tour, I asked him: “What do you think of the building?” Having only seen steel girders and concrete slabs, he answered honestly: “I don’t know!” [...]
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News 1130, Mar 14, 2018
The Atlantic, Feb 18, 2018
CBC News, March 15, 2018
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Nature International journal of science, Mar 20, 2018
CBC, Mar 8, 2018
4-Traders, Feb 11, 2018
CBC News, April 6, 2018
Baystreet, Jan 18, 2018
CBC News, Mar 29, 2018
CBC, Apr 4, 2018
The Muse, Mar 15, 2018
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Save the Dates! Science Odyssey May 11-20, 2018
Science Odyssey 2018
is right around the corner! The ten-day national STEM celebration will take place from
May 11-20, 2018.
We’re counting on you!
As a Science Odyssey partner, you play a key role in generating engagement and excitement throughout the 10 days. So get ready! Align your existing activities or plan a special event or series of activities related to STEM during Science Odyssey! Take advantage of this opportunity to further engage and attract your stakeholders to your local events.
Stay tuned!
Registration of events will start early in 2018. We will also continue to profile your organization on the Science Odyssey
Facebook
,
Twitter
and
Instagram
year-round. If you have something to share, please let us know!
Mark your calendars! We look forward to working with you for Science Odyssey 2018!
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